By JOSEPH KELLARD
The district presented two propositions for Oceanside voters: a district-wide $28,606,902 building-alteration-and-improvement project funded by a 20-year bond, and capital projects totaling $2,444,409, to be financed with the bond, which were included in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 budgets previously approved by voters.
Residents passed both propositions overwhelmingly, the first by a vote of 860 to 219 and the second by a vote of 793 to 226.
"The outcome was a vote of confidence on the part of the community," Superintendent Dr. Herb Brown said about the vote, which was held on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
The district proposed to undertake and bond the large-scale project in response to regulations passed last year pertaining to the way New York state reimburses financial aid to schools.
Oceanside receives 41 cents on the dollar in matching state funds, which the state usually reimburses about a year after the money is spent. Oceanside includes $1.6 to $2.1 million in its overall budget for capital projects, and a year later the district is normally reimbursed $820,000.
The state passed regulations last May requiring that the $820,000 be paid back over 20 years, which the state defines as the useful life-span of a capital project. The district said that it would make little financial sense to continue to budget the $1.6 to $2.1 million each year when it will receive the 41-percent reimbursement over 20 years.
The district decided to make use of a bond at a time when interest rates on school-related bonds are at relatively low rates, between 3.5 and 4 percent. It argued that if the bond passed, the yearly increase for the average homeowner in Oceanside would be $79; if the bond were voted down, and if the district continued to do capital projects at $1.6 to $2.1 million per year, the tax increase would be $99. The savings to taxpayers would be between $600,000 and $800,000 over 20 years, Brown estimated.
"It was no-brainer," resident Steve Goldberg told the Herald after voting for the propositions at Oceanside High School. "The work gets done, and it's actually cheaper for the district to do it this way."
"I voted yes for both issues because I feel it's important to have the children prepared for the future," said Renee Lewin. "They are the future, so whatever needs to be done for the schools and to maintain how great Oceanside is, I'm for it. It's important to keep everything current and modern and satisfactory for the children."
Joan Doyle was among the 20 percent of voters who opposed the propositions. "It seems like every time there is a budget or bond the school district proposes, it always passes," Doyle said. "No one ever questions, because they feel threatened. And they are not aware of any alternatives; they're never presented. There's never a question of cutting. It's always an increase. If you were in a business, that's not what happens. You have to cut somewhere. Set up priorities on how you are going to spend a certain amount of money, instead of assuming there is always more to get."
Bob Transom, president of the school board, said of the vote, "The Oceanside voters know how money should be spent and how they want their schools to appear and be run, and want to be sure that the kids are given every technological advantage, and most importantly still be fiscally responsible."
The work involved in the large-scale project includes upgrades to heating, ventilation, electrical, lighting, and fire-alarm systems, and replacement or improvement of roofs, masonry, windows, doors, ceilings, floors, auditorium seats and lockers. The major work will occur at the high school and middle school, and it includes four new classrooms, reconstruction and drainage of athletic fields, and the conversion of shop rooms into state-of-the-art technology centers at both buildings. The work involved in the second proposal includes four additional classrooms and irrigation at School 8, and a cafeteria at School 9E.
"We will meet with the architect and make sure that all renovations and additions are completed as soon as possible," Brown said about the project, which is expected to be phased in and completed over a three-year period. "They will get started as soon as the paperwork goes upstate and Albany approves it, which takes a few months. By spring or summer we should get started on some projects."
